Department of Numbers

Iowa Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Iowa fell 0.0 percentage points in February 2021 to 3.6%. The state unemployment rate was 2.6 percentage points lower than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 11.1% and is now 7.5 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 3.6% in January 2021, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Iowa unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate February 2021 Month/Month Year/Year
National 6.2% -0.1 +2.7
Iowa 3.6% 0.0 +0.7

Note: All comparisons are made with February data as March state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Iowa, National

Iowa monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to February 2021

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Iowa Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Iowa peaked in April 2020 at 190,195. There are now 131,860 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 58,010 in January 2021, the number of unemployed has now grown by 325. Iowa job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons February 2021 Month/Month Year/Year
Iowa 58,335 +325 +8,452

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Iowa from 1990 to February 2021

Iowa Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate		 Iowa
Unemployment Rate		 Iowa
Unemployed
March 2021 6.0% — —
February 2021 6.2% 3.6% 58,335
January 2021 6.3% 3.6% 58,010
December 2020 6.7% 3.7% 59,879
November 2020 6.7% 3.9% 64,160
October 2020 6.9% 4.2% 69,180
September 2020 7.8% 4.7% 76,059
August 2020 8.4% 5.3% 85,971
July 2020 10.2% 6.1% 99,646
June 2020 11.1% 7.1% 116,997
May 2020 13.3% 8.3% 137,780
April 2020 14.8% 11.1% 190,195

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